The NeoLiberal Round

Renaldo Mckenzie

Life is about people/how people relate. Yet life is what we make it or allow others to make of it for us creating privileges. The Neoliberal Round is a think tank exploring life. We're interdisciplinary and dynamic; concerning ourselves with global issues and problems so as to serve the world today to solve tomorrow's challenges, by making popular what was the monopoly. We will be bold and deliberate in our reflections on truths, lifting up issues of ethics/human values. Visit The Neoliberal, https://theneoliberal.com. Donate here: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

  1. -5 j

    CARIBBEAN THOUGHT LECTURE 8 PART 2: The Unfinished Revolution: Haiti, the Caribbean and Global Power

    In part two of Lecture 8, Professor Renaldo McKenzie continues the discussions on the efficacy and completion of Caribbean Independence and Haitian freedoms in light of global capital power and new colonial structures. Discussion Points:1. Who Made the Haitian Revolution? Many textbooks emphasize: Toussaint Louverture. But Haiti's revolution was made by: Enslaved Africans Field workers Maroons Women Vodou leaders Communities Collective resistance History belongs to the people. 2. Dutty Boukman Revolutionary Priest and Freedom Fighter Jamaican-born enslaved African Transported to Saint-Domingue Spiritual leader Led the famous Bois Caïman ceremony (1791)Inspired the beginning of the Haitian Revolution For many Haitians, Boukman represents African spiritual resistance. Image: Artistic depiction of Dutty Boukman 3. Cécile Fatiman The Forgotten Revolutionary Vodou priestess Remembered for: Bois Caïman ceremony Spiritual leadership African cosmology Mobilizing resistance Many European histories largely ignore her contribution. 4. Jean-Jacques Dessalines Founder of Haiti Unlike Toussaint Louverture: Rejected compromise with France. Demanded complete independence. Declared Haiti independent in 1804. Regarded by many Haitians as the true founder of the nation. Freedom required complete separation from the empire. 5. Toussaint Louverture Reconsidered: C.L.R. James elevated Louverture as the central revolutionary figure. Yet Haiti's revolution was not the work of one man. It was also the work of: African spirituality Vodou Collective resistance Maroons Women Rural communities Reducing the revolution to Louverture alone risks repeating colonial habits.6. The Revolution Never Ended After independence Haiti experienced: Diplomatic isolation Economic sanctions Foreign debt Elite betrayal U.S. occupation International intervention Political instability Political independence did not guarantee sovereignty. 7. Haiti in the Twenty-First Century: Pursuing independent paths have often encountered: Debt, sanctions, political pressure, regime destabilization, economic dependence, foreign intervention. Examples: Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela Jamaica 9. Jamaica Under Michael Manley navigated between Capitalism and Socialism. Independence is an ongoing struggle over: Sovereignty Debt Race Identity Memory Global power Key Takeaways Haiti transformed world history. Freedom was punished through debt. The Haitian Revolution was collective. African spirituality played a central role. Colonial narratives continue to shape Caribbean identity. Independence remains an unfinished struggle. Haiti remains central to understanding the Caribbean and global power. Recommended Readings The Black Jacobins — C. L. R. James Silencing the Past The Wretched of the Earth Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance Renaldo McKenzie is Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary of Caribbean Thought and Author of "Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance". Visit The Neoliberal at https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.com Subscribe on any stream. Visit Jamaica Theological Seminary at https://jts.edu.jm email us at info@theneoliberal.com and renaldo.mckenzie@jts.edu.jm Call us at 1-445-260-9198

    CARIBBEAN THOUGHT LECTURE 8 PART 2: The Unfinished Revolution: Haiti, the Caribbean and Global Power
  2. -6 j

    The Unfinished Revolution: Haiti, the Caribbean, and Global Power

    Professor Renaldo McKenzie discusses the Caribbean Historical Timeline and explores the Caribbean Revolution and independence, starting with Haiti. Haiti’s independence in 1804 did not merely free the western side of Hispaniola; it shook the entire colonial world. Yet the meaning of independence on the island became contested. Haiti’s victory over France marked the first successful Black republic born of an anti-slavery revolution, but France and other colonial powers refused to recognize that freedom as legitimate. In 1825, France forced Haiti to pay a massive indemnity in exchange for recognition, turning liberation into debt and punishing Haiti for daring to defeat the empire. This history also complicates Dominican independence. The eastern side of Hispaniola experienced different claims of sovereignty: Spanish rule, a brief declaration of independence in 1821, Haitian unification of the island under Jean-Pierre Boyer in 1822, and then Dominican independence from Haiti in 1844. Later, Dominican elites framed Haitian rule as foreign occupation, while Haitian leaders saw island unification as necessary to protect abolition and prevent European recolonization. That conflict produced a bitter historical memory that still shapes relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic today. European powers and local elites helped deepen that division. Anti-Haitian ideology did not emerge by accident; it was cultivated through race, class, language, religion, and political power. Dominican nationalism often defined itself against Haiti, and some leaders advanced whiteness or Hispanidad as a way to separate Dominican identity from Blackness and African heritage. This helped create policies and attitudes that treated Haitians as outsiders, even though both peoples share the same island and are bound by colonial history. Haiti’s revolution has also been misread through European eyes. C.L.R. James elevated Toussaint Louverture as a central figure, and Louverture was indeed brilliant. But the Haitian Revolution was not the work of one French-trained military mind. It was also the work of Vodou, maroon resistance, enslaved Africans, field laborers, women, spiritual leaders, and local revolutionaries such as Dutty Boukman. To make Louverture the sole founder risks repeating a colonial habit: recognizing Black genius only when it resembles European education, discipline, and military order.The Lecture is part of a Course, Caribbean Thought at Jamaica Theological Seminary.Renaldo McKenzie is Creator and Host of The Neoliberal Round and President of The Neoliberal Corporation, Professor at Jamaica Theological Seminary. Visit us at https://theneoliberal.comVisit JTS at https://jts.edu.jm.

    The Unfinished Revolution: Haiti, the Caribbean, and Global Power
  3. 6 juil.

    CARIBBEAN THOUGHT LECTURE 7 2026: Cinema, Globalization and Caribbean History Part 1

    In today's lecture, we explore Caribbean history through the lens of cinema and globalization. We begin with Chapter 11 of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance by Renaldo McKenzie. This chapter examines the use of documentary films as forms of resistance and demonstrates how cinema can serve as a powerful medium for social critique and social change.The lecture centers on the documentary Life and Debt, analyzing how globalization has disproportionately affected the peoples of the Global South, particularly in the Caribbean. Students examine the contradictions and ironies of globalization, decolonization, and denationalization, while questioning whether political independence has translated into genuine economic and cultural liberation.Drawing on the works of Frantz Fanon, particularly The Wretched of the Earth; Homi K. Bhabha and The Location of Culture; and V. S. Naipaul and his literary contributions as forms of resistance and social commentary, the lecture explores the intellectual foundations of Caribbean thought and postcolonial critique.Students are introduced to and discuss key concepts including nationalism, colonialism, decolonization, postcolonialism, mise-en-scène, globalization, the Global South versus the Global North, and the ways visual storytelling can shape historical consciousness and political understanding.The lecture then transitions into a historical timeline of the Caribbean, beginning with ancient Kemet over 5,000 years ago, examining early African civilizations and pre-Columbian societies before tracing the arrival of Christopher Columbus and the profound transformations that followed. Through this historical journey, students are encouraged to rethink conventional narratives about the Caribbean and situate the region within broader global historical processes.Delivered live via Zoom, this lecture is part of the Caribbean Thought course at Jamaica Theological Seminary and reaches students across the Caribbean, the United States, Canada, and beyond. The course is taught by Professor Renaldo McKenzie, author of Neoliberalism, Globalization, Income Inequality, Poverty and Resistance, President of The Neoliberal Corporation, and creator and host of The Neoliberal Round Podcast. Professor McKenzie delivers the lectures from Philadelphia, bringing together history, philosophy, political economy, and media studies to challenge students to critically examine the Caribbean's past, present, and future.For more information, email info@theneoliberal.com.Visit theneoliberal.com and renaldocmckenzie.com.Learn more about Jamaica Theological Seminary at https://jts.edu.jm.

    CARIBBEAN THOUGHT LECTURE 7 2026: Cinema, Globalization and Caribbean History Part 1
  4. 21 juin

    Street Vibes Jamaica: The People Speak on Leadership, Haiti, and Jamaica's Future

    On this episode of Street Vibes: Pulse of the Street, Renaldo McKenzie sits down with an outspoken and passionate Jamaican citizen at the airport in Jamaica for a candid conversation about the state of the nation, leadership, history, economics, and the future of the Caribbean. The discussion explores Jamaica's political journey from the era of Michael Manley and Edward Seaga to the present day, examining questions of self-reliance, education, social welfare, foreign influence, economic dependency, and public accountability. The guest reflects on a period when education, school meals, and social support were widely accessible and contrasts it with contemporary challenges facing ordinary Jamaicans. The conversation also touches on Haiti's history and economic decline, the role of foreign powers in Caribbean affairs, Jamaica's relationship with Cuba, Chinese investment in Jamaica, labor issues, political patronage, and whether today's leaders truly serve the interests of the Jamaican people. Most importantly, this Street Vibes episode captures the unfiltered voice of an everyday Jamaican reflecting on what has been lost, what remains, and what must change if Jamaica is to build a stronger future. Street Vibes is a special series of The Neoliberal Round Podcast where Renaldo McKenzie speaks with ordinary people from around the world to capture the pulse of the street and hear directly from those whose voices are often overlooked. The Neoliberal Round Podcast is a production of The Neoliberal Corporation, founded by Renaldo McKenzie. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Visit: www.theneoliberal.com www.renaldocmckenzie.com Follow and subscribe: The Neoliberal Round Podcast Creator/Hosted by Renaldo McKenzie Email us at info@theneoliberal.com Donate to us at https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06

    Street Vibes Jamaica: The People Speak on Leadership, Haiti, and Jamaica's Future
  5. 13 juin

    The 575th Tribe: The Lumbee Recognition, Indigenous Identity, and the Urban Indian Heritage Society

    After more than a century of advocacy and decades of federal struggle, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina has been officially recognized as America's 575th federally recognized American Indian tribe. In this important episode of The Neoliberal Round Podcast, host Renaldo McKenzie is joined by Phoenix Moon and Dr. Nolan Fontaine to discuss the historic passage of the Lumbee Act (S.107), the significance of federal recognition, and the role the Urban Indian Heritage Society played in supporting Indigenous advocacy and visibility. The conversation explores the Lumbee people's long journey from state recognition in 1885 to federal recognition in 2025, their history as the "People of the Dark Water," and broader questions surrounding Indigenous identity in America. The guests also discuss the work of the Urban Indian Heritage Society, Indigenous education, cultural preservation, reclassification efforts, and the ongoing debate over identity, ancestry, and belonging. Are African Americans, Black Americans, Indigenous Americans, or some combination of these identities? How do history, genealogy, race, and politics shape the way we understand ourselves? This episode tackles these challenging questions while examining the intersections of Native American and African American history. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on history, identity, recognition, and the continuing struggle for Indigenous visibility in America. Hosted by Renaldo McKenzie A production of The Neoliberal Corporation and The Neoliberal Round Podcast. Visit: The Neoliberal CorporationRenaldo McKenzie Official WebsiteSubscribe to The Neoliberal Round Podcast on your favorite podcast platform.

    The 575th Tribe: The Lumbee Recognition, Indigenous Identity, and the Urban Indian Heritage Society

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Life is about people/how people relate. Yet life is what we make it or allow others to make of it for us creating privileges. The Neoliberal Round is a think tank exploring life. We're interdisciplinary and dynamic; concerning ourselves with global issues and problems so as to serve the world today to solve tomorrow's challenges, by making popular what was the monopoly. We will be bold and deliberate in our reflections on truths, lifting up issues of ethics/human values. Visit The Neoliberal, https://theneoliberal.com. Donate here: https://donate.stripe.com/7sYcN48uybAA2OEb9V93y06